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Philippine ports saw a rise in cruise tourism this holiday season, according to the Philippine Ports Authority
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On Christmas Day, around 1,000 foreign and local passengers aboard MV AIDA bella of AIDA Cruises from Germany visited the Port of Coron in Palawan
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PPA said about 80,000 cruise ship passengers have visited the country this year
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Starting next year, more cruise terminals will be developed near the tourism sites of Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay, Palawan, and Puerto Galera
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported a surge in cruise tourism this holiday season as international cruise ships return to the country following relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
More than 80,000 cruise ship passengers aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Silverseas, Windstar Cruises, and AIDA Cruises have visited the Philippines this year.
On Christmas Day, around 1,000 foreign and local passengers aboard MV AIDA bella of AIDA Cruises from Germany visited the Port of Coron in Palawan.
The port, which underwent a major renovation earlier this year, can now accommodate up to 900 persons in its passenger terminal area.
With 1,994 German tourists and more than 600 Filipino, Indian, and German crew members, MV AidaBella managed to dock at the Port of Coron at around 7:00 am on December 25 with no incident.
PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the Port of Coron, which previously could only handle a maximum of 250 passengers, can now accommodate an additional 500 passengers and may take on up to 900 people during peak season.
In a related development, Santiago announced that starting next year, they will develop more cruise terminals near the tourism sites of Siargao, Camiguin, Boracay, Palawan, and Puerto Galera.
This will augment the number of existing cruise terminals in the Ports of Currimao in Ilocos Norte, Salomague in Ilocos Sur, Manila, Bohol, and El Nido in Palawan.
